WINCHENDON, Mass. – Franklin Pierce University claimed its first New England Women's Hockey Alliance postseason title on Saturday, skating past Saint Anselm College by a 1-0 margin at the Jason Ritchie '05 Ice Arena.
The Ravens scored an early power play goal off the stick of Ava Kison and didn't look back, blanking the Hawks and racking up a 52-to-26 advantage in shots taken. Franklin Pierce, winners of 14 of its last 15 games, also played lockdown defense on its penalty kills, frustrating the Hawks on five power play attempts. The Ravens also won 44 of the 64 face-offs in the victory.
Franklin Pierce (22-9-1) netminder Suzette Faucher turned away all 26 shots and logged back-to-back shutouts in the NEWHA postseason, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. Faucher was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Kison and the defensive tandem of Stefanie Caban and Katerina Dajia – Caban and Dajia contributed to the clean sheets with a total of 12 blocked shots between them in two games.
Saint Anselm had two All-Tournament picks, including Erin Meyers and Kelly Golini. Meyers played in three NEWHA postseason games for the Hawks, scoring a goal with three assists, and Golini chipped in with two goals and an assist. Netminder Allie Kelley also had a noteworthy performance in back-to-back games against LIU and Franklin Pierce, halting 95-of-97 shots.
Across the first four NEWHA championship games, there have been four different winners – Sacred Heart claimed the first-ever postseason title in 2017-18 and Saint Anselm hoisted the trophy in 2018-19. In just its first season of play in 2019-20, LIU earned the league championship and in 2021-22, Franklin Pierce achieved championship distinction on its home ice.
The list of All-Tournament Team selections, as well as the complete NEWHA postseason summary, can be found below.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
F – Ava Kison (FPU)
F – Erin Meyers (STA)
F – Kelly Golini (STA)
D – Stefanie Caban (FPU)
D – Katerina Dajia (FPU)
G – Suzette Faucher (FPU, Most Outstanding Player)
TUESDAY, MAR. 1 - FIRST ROUND (played at higher seed)
No. 6 Saint Michael's 1 at No. 3 Saint Anselm 2
No. 5 Post 2 at No. 4 Sacred Heart 5
FRIDAY, MAR. 4 - NEWHA SEMIFINALS (played at Franklin Pierce)
No. 4 Sacred Heart 0 at No. 1 Franklin Pierce 2
No. 3 Saint Anselm 3 vs. No. 2 LIU 1
SATURDAY, MAR. 5 - NEWHA CHAMPIONSHIP (played at Franklin Pierce)
No. 3 Saint Anselm 0 at No. 1 Franklin Pierce 1
CONGRATULATIONS to @FPUathletics and @RavensWIH for claiming their FIRST @NEWHAonline Championship! #RavenNation pic.twitter.com/8ro7WPC3iY
— NEWHAonline (@NEWHAonline) March 6, 2022